learn dressage

Apparently, all it takes is not riding for nine days and a trip to Europe. I came back, got on Moon and all of a sudden, things clicked! I had a beautiful ride with Moon consistently on the bit and flexible. We repeated this during our lesson Wednesday. Val was pleased as well!

Today we did almost as well but I think Moon is a little stale from the arena. We tried to go on a trail ride but I couldn’t find the trails, and a huge dog ran up to us and started barking, startling Moon. He was a good boy. I had to get on and off him to get through the gate and I have to say, there’s something about a short horse! It is SO much easier to get on and off without a mounting block.

Now I am practicing making the aids more subtle—as subtle as they can get and still receive a positive response.

Unfortunately, Lacy has injured herself so I haven’t been able to ride her in a few weeks. I did handwalk her around her new barn though. Both of these horses are so sweet. I am very fortunate to have them in my life.

Dressage is about the wordless communication between horse and rider, just as dance is between two people. This is probably why both pursuits interest me. A good ride, just like a good dance, is almost like a psychic connection between two beings. Time stops and you are one. Very special.

I leased him for September with a continuation in October. We are taking lessons together on Wednesdays. Last week was only our second lesson and already I feel much improved. I have been able to consistently get him on the bit. He’s a kind horse and anticipates me, more than meeting me half way.

Despite his size, he does not feel too small at all. I am so glad I did this. I love Lacy as well but they are two very different horses and I lam learning a lot from both of them. Together they are helping me get through a very rough transition in my life, the slow losing of my beloved Rocky.

I have a multitude of options here. I found yet another dressage teacher, a silver medalist. I could lease a horse and take lessons with her for an all around reasonable price; however, Valerie has been able to make that option available to me. Plus, Moon is just beautiful and sweet. I have always had a soft spot for greys and since he is a third level dressage horse, he has much to teach me.

Two years ago, he won the Boulder Valley Dressage Association Arabian Champion trophy! I have attached a picture of him below.

He is shorter than I am used to but not too small for me, once I get over the idea that I have to ride giants!

Ok—this isn’t about dressage but I rode Lacy for the first time today! Lacy appears to be an Appendix Quarterhorse of 15.1 hands, age 5. She was rescued off a meat truck by her present owner for $250(!) but hasn’t really been worked with due to a variety of circumstances.

I have been working on the ground with her sporadically for the last month and a half but today was the first time I got on her and she was sooooo good. Completely willing and anxious to please—and comfortable! Actually, she was just as comfortable as Gracie, the other Appendix I rode last week, but much greener, of course. For a 5 year old, she is also very well balanced.

I am going to change her bit though and have asked her owner if she would be ok if I put her in a drop noseband and eggbutt bit. I don’t think she really needs to be in a curb.

Lacy is shorter than most of the horses I have ridden in the past at 15.1 but I didn’t feel awkward on her at all.

I rode Gracie, a 15.3 Appendix chestnut eight year old mare, for the lesson. She was cute and smooth. From now on, I am only ever going to ride the comfortable horses….

I only had a half hour lesson, which was probably a good thing since my legs feel like chewed string now! I am so out of shape. That’s what missing four months of regular riding practice will do to you. (Yes, losing 20 pounds seems like a really good idea now….) In sum, legs in good position, balanced, although struggled to keep her on the bit. I liked Valerie a lot as a teacher. She does 100 percent dressage.

There was a horse there available for lease. His name is Moon and he is part Arab and Trakehner. 16 years old. He’s short but I could learn a lot from him.

Next lesson two weeks from now.

I have found a teacher named Valerie S., about 22 minutes away. She studies with former Olympian Bent Jensen who rode on the Danish team in Barcelona. http://www.bentjensendressage.com/ In truth, she is probably more than I need as a teacher but the price is right and she is so close by—I cannot resist going for it! My first lesson is this Wednesday and I am woefully out of shape.

Prior to moving to Colorado, I was riding Casper four days a week and taking lessons with Sue Moessner at Paragon Farms. Sue is a nationally ranked 3 day event rider. She was probably also more of a teacher than I ever needed but I learned a heck of a lot from her in a very short time.

I was born in the midwest, in the heart of farming country. Hay field, corn fields, soybean fields…where the grass and the dirt and the gravel all meet…Our folks are country through and through.

I have been blessed to own horses for most of my life. I’ve always wanted to learn dressage. The problem is the closest dressage trainer I’ve been able to come up with is 2 1/2 hours away!

The horse on my avatar is Santiago…a PRE Andalusian Stallion who lives in Streator Illinois. I have had many a day dream of riding this horse or one like him…only problem is the dream gets shattered when the reality hits that I don’t know a thing about dressage or even english riding for that matter. I’ve always ridden western…

Some day when the opportunity presents itself I WILL do this for myself.

This is a beautiful way to express yourself through dance/horseback riding. I would love to do this along with finding a horse to do it with.